HAL loyalist - First Timer on MSC

[DMH15]

After saying a not-so-fond farewell to Celebrity five years ago after 250 nights onboard, I really don't think you can compare what is offered in Michael's Club to what is in the Yacht Club - the YC leaves Celebrity in the dust!

 

The Champagne offered in the YC is, well, Champagne! It was embarrassing how many (we'll say glasses but it really approached gallons...) of Nicholas Feuillatte that I had.

 

While Celebrity may have individual selections that exceed the YC, it in no way, shape or form approaches the overall drink list in the YC.

 

 

 

With that name, I know you mean business!!! LOL

 

My last 6 or 7 cruises were NCL, with most Haven. But I was unhappy how they jacked up suite cruises, did not sell as many, so they became the Priceline of cruises. No thanks!

 

From where I sit, MSC offers very good value and therefore they are selling out the yacht club. I am looking forward to my first experience in the YC next May.

 

 

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[frank808]

After saying a not-so-fond farewell to Celebrity five years ago after 250 nights onboard, I really don't think you can compare what is offered in Michael's Club to what is in the Yacht Club - the YC leaves Celebrity in the dust!

 

The Champagne offered in the YC is, well, Champagne! It was embarrassing how many (we'll say glasses but it really approached gallons...) of Nicholas Feuillatte that I had.

 

While Celebrity may have individual selections that exceed the YC, it in no way, shape or form approaches the overall drink list in the YC.

 

No more nicholas feuillatte for yc on seaside now. It is a house brand champagne. The asti was recommended over the house brand.

 

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[jules815]

Breakfast at YC restaurant in San Juan.

 

DennisSent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

Thanks for posting the picture. I can't believe how large that outdoor seating area is in front of the lounge. Do people use that area often? I've only seen pictures with empty seating.

[frank808]

Thanks for posting the picture. I can't believe how large that outdoor seating area is in front of the lounge. Do people use that area often? I've only seen pictures with empty seating.

They are rarely occupied. Mostly the starboard side is occupied because of the smoking section.

 

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[Loucat]

Pictures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dennis

 

 

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Just to be sure. Are your pics of the YC Suite as they look like so many balcony staterooms on many ships.

What am I missing?

[George C]

Just to be sure. Are your pics of the YC Suite as they look like so many balcony staterooms on many ships.

What am I missing?

 

I agree the selling point on yacht club seems to be all the perks, but I believe they are bigger than most standard balcony , I did a sky suite recently on celebrity which was a little smaller but great perks.

[DMH15]

No more nicholas feuillatte for yc on seaside now. It is a house brand champagne. The asti was recommended over the house brand.

 

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Here in lies my fears. MSC YC sounded too good to be true. They are starting to pull things away. First, crepes, then no crepes, downgrade the bubbly.

 

By next May I am worried what else will have changed? I am all about two things:

 

1. CONSISTENCY

2. VALUE

 

 

 

 

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[frank808]

Here in lies my fears. MSC YC sounded too good to be true. They are starting to pull things away. First, crepes, then no crepes, downgrade the bubbly.

 

By next May I am worried what else will have changed? I am all about two things:

 

1. CONSISTENCY

2. VALUE

 

 

 

 

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And this week, crepes are included.

 

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[George C]

Here in lies my fears. MSC YC sounded too good to be true. They are starting to pull things away. First, crepes, then no crepes, downgrade the bubbly.

 

By next May I am worried what else will have changed? I am all about two things:

 

1. CONSISTENCY

2. VALUE

 

 

 

 

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Consistent seems to be a problem with many lines, I really like rccl but there famous for not being consistent .

[Dr. Cocktail]

No more nicholas feuillatte for yc on seaside now. It is a house brand champagne. The asti was recommended over the house brand.

 

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Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh?

 

They fired my good friend Nick?!

 

I'll be curious if it's still available in the other bars in the package.

 

First World Problem Followers unite!!!

[DMH15]

And this week, crepes are included.

 

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I have been following along. LOL. I make crepes at home quite a bit. But I enjoy when someone else makes them for me.

 

 

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[frank808]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh?

 

They fired my good friend Nick?!

 

I'll be curious if it's still available in the other bars in the package.

 

First World Problem Followers unite!!!

I dont drink champagne but when our neighbors in dining room asked that is what was mentioned. But I noticed in the yc drink menu their is no mention of nicholas , just a prosecco and asti.

 

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[kelleherdl]

Ok I'm back. Pictures from pool deck and discussions of dinner and butlers in YC.

 

Plus I will have an unexpected special post. Joann and I were invited to dine with the Captain and his senior officers last evening.

 

Dennis

 

Back on soon.

 

 

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[George C]

Ok I'm back. Pictures from pool deck and discussions of dinner and butlers in YC.

 

Plus I will have an unexpected special post. Joann and I were invited to dine with the Captain and his senior officers last evening.

 

Dennis

 

Back on soon.

 

 

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Very cool had dinner with captain on rccl a few years ago , it was a great meal.

[dodger1964]

Ok I'm back. Pictures from pool deck and discussions of dinner and butlers in YC.

 

Plus I will have an unexpected special post. Joann and I were invited to dine with the Captain and his senior officers last evening.

 

Dennis

 

Back on soon.

 

 

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He must have found out about this thread and thought he would give you some good things to post!:D

[kelleherdl]

He must have found out about this thread and thought he would give you some good things to post!:D

 

 

 

[emoji3]

 

Frank808 is on his second leg of a b2b so I don't know how much they know on the ship. He has posted quite a bit on his real-time. He's also a first time MSC with heavy RCCL experience. But they do seem pretty e-savvy, so possible.

 

Dennis

YC pool deck and bar and grille

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh carving station every day

 

Seating areas on both sides of bar

 

 

Dennis

 

 

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[kelleherdl]

To give you an example of menu up on pool deck.

 

Nice cold salad bar with Italian meats.

Carving station of a fabulous roast pork. Others included beef tenderloin, whole roasted turkey, lamb roast, veal

 

Always 3 grilled fish varieties.

 

Grilled to order burgers

 

Always a pasta of the day, finished fresh.

 

Several hot sides

 

Whole chilled area of desserts.

 

We only ate in the YC restaurant for lunch once since the bar and grille is so good.

 

Dennis

 

 

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[kelleherdl]

Forgot the freshly grilled lamb chops today. [emoji3]

 

 

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[kelleherdl]

Other areas of YC. Cabanas, but very few were rented. Why would I? Just the regular chairs and service are good enough.

 

 

Forward sunning area.

 

 

 

Dennis

 

 

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[kelleherdl]

Consistent seems to be a problem with many lines, I really like rccl but there famous for not being consistent .

 

 

 

Speaking at dinner last night 'consistency ' issue for MSC is their real desire to change quickly to respond. They seem to be far more flexible in implementing change, since they are privately held. I know this sounds like corporate PR fluff, but we definitely felt that every comment we made, good or neutral, at every level of staff was being considered. The butlers are very good at this. In the YC you are daily interaction with senior management of the Hotel Director.

 

Dennis

 

 

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[cruiseintoheaven]

To give you an example of menu up on pool deck.

 

Nice cold salad bar with Italian meats.

Carving station of a fabulous roast pork. Others included beef tenderloin, whole roasted turkey, lamb roast, veal

 

Always 3 grilled fish varieties.

 

Grilled to order burgers

 

Always a pasta of the day, finished fresh.

 

Several hot sides

 

Whole chilled area of desserts.

 

We only ate in the YC restaurant for lunch once since the bar and grille is so good.

 

Dennis

 

 

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That’s nice to hear. Loving the pictures of common YC areas. Thanks for posting them.

 

 

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[kelleherdl]

Dinner with the Captain.

 

Invitations went out late in the week because of some uncertainty early in the week on weather (TS Burrel or whatever?) and itinerary. As it turned out very nice weather and no need to change itinerary, so second elegant night as planned. We got the invitation through the YC Concierge. Our butler Vishnu arranged to escort us to dinner. Previous Captain had his Captain Table in the Butcher's Cut. Captain Di Palma has moved his dinners to the Ocean Cay Restaurant. Quieter and more intimate. The Captain has one dinner per week. For last nights evening only two couples were invited as the VP of MSC Cruises USA is on board and he and his wife joined us. So this was a pretty nice table with the Captain, Hotel Director, Guest Services Director and Purser. We were introduced to all the Food and Beverage hierarchy and Executive Chef.

 

 

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[kelleherdl]

Menu was not specific to Ocean Cay, but included scallops for the seafood and filet for the beef. I had the filet and my wife had the scallops. The whole meal was excellent. The Captain presented wines from his private cellar. Conversations were wide ranging and very open about MSC's future in the US market, Which represents a significant expansion.

 

The Captain presented us with a table photo, a box of Venchi chocolates and a crystal block shadow sculpture of the MS Seaside. Very nice touches.

 

Quite a nice second elegant night.

 

Dennis

 

 

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[frank808]

If I knew you were taking pics to post I would have waved! That was not my good side [emoji2][emoji2]

 

I think MSC saw your post and wanted to woo you over from HAL. You can influence other HAL cruisers to experience MSC. I know I will be telling my friends to try MSC. Value for price, I donot see a better value than yacht club.

 

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[*Miss G*]

Dinner with the Captain.

 

Invitations went out late in the week because of some uncertainty early in the week on weather (TS Burrel or whatever?) and itinerary. As it turned out very nice weather and no need to change itinerary, so second elegant night as planned. We got the invitation through the YC Concierge. Our butler Vishnu arranged to escort us to dinner. Previous Captain had his Captain Table in the Butcher's Cut. Captain Di Palma has moved his dinners to the Ocean Cay Restaurant. Quieter and more intimate. The Captain has one dinner per week. For last nights evening only two couples were invited as the VP of MSC Cruises USA is on board and he and his wife joined us. So this was a pretty nice table with the Captain, Hotel Director, Guest Services Director and Purser. We were introduced to all the Food and Beverage hierarchy and Executive Chef.

 

 

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WOW. Very impressive. I hope you brought your tux!